RSSAll Entries in the "Lean" Category

Lean Certification Standards from ASQ/Shingo Prize

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Shingo Prize recently announced their joint Lean Certification Book of Knowledge (BoK). Now that these standards are out, they provide an important benchmark against which organizations can examine their existing Lean training and development programs. For those experienced with Lean, much of the content will be familiar. There are [...]

Implementing Lean and Lean Six Sigma

Implementing Lean and Lean Six Sigma

The most frequent question we are asked by clients these days is how to get started with Lean or Lean Six Sigma. The second most frequent question is some variation of: What is Lean Six Sigma anyway?
Let’s answer the second question first and then dive in on how to get started.

Master of Cycle Time: Little's Law

Master of Cycle Time: Little’s Law

In physics, laws are a fundamental part of understanding how systems operate. E=mc2 would have to classify as the most famous example. From these three simple letters, physicists and others have been able to greatly improve their understanding of how the universe works and make predictions about how things will behave under differing circumstances – [...]

Flexibility, The Third Dimension to Performance

Flexibility, The Third Dimension to Performance

A year ago, businesses were planning for major expansion. Now, attention has turned to how to weather a recession. Soon, expansion plans will be back. It is difficult to keep up. Actually, it is impossible.
Is there better evidence that the key to survival is not in prediction or forecasting? After all, who do you know [...]